Roof gutter



May 6, 1947.

A. H. HONIKMAN ROOF GUTTER Filed April 3, 1946 4 Sheets-Shei; 1

May 6, 1947.

A. H. HONIKMAN ROOF GUTTER Filed April 3, 1946 L 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

May 6; 1947. A. H. HONIKMAN ROOF GUTTER Filed April 5, 1946 4 SheetsShe'et 5 IN VEN TOR.

May 6, 1947. r A. H. HONIKMAN ROOF GUTTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 5, 1946 Patented May 6, 1947 ROOF GUTTER Alfred Harold Honikman,

Town, Cape of Good Hope,

Africa Application April 3,

Rondebosch, Cape Union of South 1946, Serial No. 659,247

In the Union of South Claims.

This invention relates to roof gutters.

By reason of the prominent position that gutters, gutter accessories and the adjoining discharge pipes frequently occupy in relation to a building, and of the important bearing they have on the appearance of a building they are often concealed or made less conspicuous or obtrusive by means of masonry, timber, metal or other form of casing. Such means require considerable expenditure of labour and materials which necessitate subsequent and expensive maintenance, and render access to the gutter or adjoining pipes difiicult or impossible.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a roof gutter which will be unobtrusive and will obviate the need or desire for concealment by means of additional materials, thereby avoiding extra, initial expense and subsequent maintenance.

It is also part of this object of the invention to provide a roof gutter which will obviate the ,use of the customary brackets for fixing the gutter to the eaves, wall or the like of the building and which will permit the gutter to be laid either horizontally, or to fall, i. e., at an incline.

According to the invention, I provide a roof gutter which comprises gutter-sections adapted to be flush-jointed together with externally concealed laps at all joints to provide an unbroken plane to the outer faces and the sofiit or under surface of the gutter, and which also comprises a base flange or projecting member on the guttersections which projects downwards and which is adapted to be held or engaged by a base plate, fillet or like member, to be fixed to the eaves, wall or the like of the building.

In order to protect the structural timbers or steelwork of a roof against the eifects of rainwater and detrimental atmospheric conditions, a flashing strip at the top inner edge of a gutter is often desirable, but this strip, though wellknown, is usually omitted in existing practice on account of cost. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a means which will serve the dual purpose of protecting the structural portions of the roof as aforesaid, while also constituting part of the means for securing the gutter in position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means of strengthening the gutter against damage due to the weight of ladders resting thereon and workmen employed for painting or maintenance work on the roof.

A further object is to provide a means of Africa April 23, 1945 preventing blockage of the gutter by leaves and the like or the nesting of birds.

A still further object is to render the gutters adaptable to roofs of different lengths and perimeters in a convenient and inexpensive manner, while simplifying and making more economical the production of the sections of gutter by manufacturing the same in one standardised length, or, at the most, a few standardised lengths.

The invention therefore comprises means, additional to the means already indicated for achieving the principal object of the invention, whereby the further objects mentioned above may be attained, such further means being described hereunder and defined in the appended claims.

Flush-jointed gutters embodying the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is an isometric View of a section of gutter (with parts intermediate the ends broken away) according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the gutter looking from above, illustrating a joint of the gutter and the cross-section in perspective of the gutter.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the base of the gutter at the joint.

Fig. 4 a sectional plan view of the joint, taken on a plane passing through the sides of the gutter above the base.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the gutter complete inclusive of its parts for fixing it in position.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the gutter, showing a modification of the parts for fixing it in position.

Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic view of the gutter and affixing parts, illustrating their relationship in cases where the gutter. is laid to fall.

Figs. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views of the said affixing parts and adjacent parts of the gutter when laid to fall, illustrating the relative position of the parts at the lowest and highest points of the gutter respectively.

Fig. 10 is an isometric view of a gutter-section illustrating certain of the details shown on a smaller scale in Fig. 5.

Fig. .11 is an external perspective view of the gutter, with parts in isometric section, indicating the appearance of the gutter with respect to the eaves, when viewed from below.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a modified form of flush-joint for the gutter, the one end of the joint having a socket of greater length than the spigot on the other end; parts of the gutter are broken away for clearer illustration.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the joint shown in Fig. 12, with the surplus or increased length of the socket; end cut away, and the spigot fitting exactly therein, parts being again broken away for clearness.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the 'joint shown in Fig. 12 with a small part of the socket end cut away and the remaining space between the spigot and root of the socket filled-in with a pre-formed filling-piece, parts being broken away for clearness.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view (partly broken away for clearness) of the joint shown in Fig. 12, with a larger part of the socket end cut away, and the remaining space filled-inwith.materiahcast in situ.

Referring to Figs. 1 to. 11 of the drawings:

As will be seen from Fig. 1, each gutter-section has aback A, front B andbase C. At one end of the gutter-section there is formed a spigot having a back D, front E andbase F. At the oppositeend, a socket Gis formed in the floor of the base 0.

*As shown in 'Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the spigot D, E, F is -adapted to fit neatly into the-socket Gand adjacent parts of the back A and front B of the adjoining section of the gutter. The overlapping parts areconcealed and the-joint-is flush externally. The floor of the 'baseC of the gutter is also flush throughout.

Aswill be clear from Fig. 5, a downwardly projecting-flange J is formed along the bottom edge of the 'base of the gutter-section adjacent to the back- A. r In fixing the gutter to the eaves of a'building, this flange J -is held or engaged by a base plate or strip M (Fig.6), which is adapted to be fixed by nails, screws or the like (not shown, but indicated diagrammatically by two dotted lines in Fig. driven through the rearwardly extending portion of the base plate M from below. At the top thegutter is adapted to be held by a clamp-orclamping strip L. The lower part of the clamp L engages over the upper edge of the back A of the gutter, and the nails, screws or the like for attachment of the gutterto the eaves are drivenfthrough the upper part of the clamp L from the front as indicated by dotted line in Fig. 5.

The fixture of the gutter by means of thebase plate M and clamp L, co-acting with the flange J and back A, eliminates the need for the-ordinary-brackets, and, besides being more eifective and pleasing in appearance, provides flashing or protection, by virtue of the clamping strip L, to the roofing material or structural parts adjacent to which the gutter is afiixed.

In Fig. 6, analternativeform of base plate or fillet N is illustrated, which may beused when it is required to fix the plate to the. eaves from the front instead of from below, i. e., by means of nails, screws or the like driven through the base fillet N in the direction ,of the-dotted line shown in Fig. 6.

In thearrangement shown in Fig. 5, and also shown to a larger scale in perspective in Fig. 10, the outflow of water from the gutter is'provided forthrough a back outlet P. In the alternative, asshown in Fig. 6, a bottom outlet Q may be provided.

As will be seen from Figs. 1 and 2, pairs of oppositely disposed grooves H are formed at intervals inthe inner faces of the back A and fromt B of the gutter. These grooves -H,- asillustrated-in Figs. 5 and 10, are adapted to receive cross struts or stiffeners K. On top of these struts, a covering grid or perforated slab O is laid. The struts K reinforce the gutter against damage due to external compressive stresses, e. g., caused by ladders resting against the gutter or otherwise. The covering grid or perforated slab O excludes leaves, and prevents nesting of birds and other customary causes of blockage of the gutter.

While gutters are as a rule arranged horizontally, it may, on occasion, he desired to arrange them at an incline, i. e., laid to fall. The present inventionpermits this to be done, without any alteration to thegutter-sections and joints, but with the employment only of a special base plate or fillet having an inclined upper supporting surface. -This;, arrangement is shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9.

In-Fig. 7, the arrows indicate the direction of fall of the gutter. The upper edge of the back A of the gutter isgripped by the clamping strip L which is fixed horizontally. 'The bottom:surface orsoffit of the base C of .the gutter rests onthe inclined upper supporting surface of the special base fillet N,the soffit or ,under. surface of which lieshorizontally. In Fig. 8, the relative positions in. cross-section of the gutter; clamp L and base fillet N at the lowest point are shown. In Fig. ,9, the. positions of these parts, at the highest point are similarly shown.

As will be appreciated; the clamping. strip L and base fillet N :overlap the top. of thebackzA and the flange J sufiiciently to enable anefiective holdto be obtained thereon along thegutterfrom end to end,. notwithstanding. the slope of: the gutter.

The final appearance of a roof-gutter as abovedescribedis illustrated in Fig. 11, which shows the gutter in relation to the eaves of a building when viewed from below. With a back outlet:'P,.as shown,v itis possible for. the adjoining. discharge pipes, oifsetsand channels to be concealed .within a slatted boarding or. boxed-ineaves 01: :solid cornice of a building.

Referring .to Figs. 12 to 15:

11h .thegutter shown in these figures,.the end .of ,onegutter-section)! (see Fig. 12). is formed with aspigothaving sides D, E. and a base F. The end; of the other. gutter-section Y, (Fig. 12). is formed witha socket G which is recessed in the floor of the base C of the-gutter. and. which is made ofpconsiderably greaterlengththan (e. g.,-two. and a half times) the-length of the spigot base F.

Within the limits set by the increase or surplus in the length of thesocketaas. compared with the spigot F, the lengthofany sections such as X and Y. of the gutter as a whole can bevaried by cutting away or removing more orless of the socketed end of the section. In Fig. '12, nopart-of the 'socket'G has been cut away. In other words, the socketedend of the gutter-section is in its originally manufactured condition. In practice, according to the exigencies laiddown by the length or perimeter of the roof to which the gutter is to be applied-the soc-keted end of the gutter-sections may be left in this original state or, as just stated, a part-greater or smaller within the limits indicatedof the socketed end maybe cut away.

In Fig. 13, a joint is illustrated in which the end ofthesocket G has been cut away for thepurpose just mentioned to the full extent permitted by the aforesaid limits, so that as will be seen from-the said figure, the socket is substantially :equal in length to the spigot F, which fits exactly within the socket G.

In cases in which (corresponding to the exigencies stated) no part has to be cut away from the end of the socket G, or in which only a part smaller than the surplus length of the socket has to be cut away, the space S (see Fig. 12') remaining between the end of the spigot F and the step or root R of the socket G will be filled-in so as to be flush with the floor of the base C of the gutter, as will now be more particularly described with reference to Figs. 14 and 15.

In the joint shown in Fig. 14, a small part has (to suit exigencies as aforesaid) been cut away from the end of the socket G and the space S remaining between the end of the spigot F and root R of the socket G is filled-infiush with the floor of the base C of the gutter by means of a pre-cast slab T, which is held in place by cement grouting or otherwise.

In Fig. 15, a somewhat larger part has, it is assumed, had to be removed from the end of the socket G, and the relatively shorter space S between the spigot F and root R of the socket G is filled-in with cement or other suitable plastic or mouldable material V cast in situ.

In all respects other than those above-described, the gutter referred to in connection with Figs. 12 to 15 is similar to that described with reference to Figs. 1 to 11.

The gutter and all the component parts can be manufactured in asbestos, wood, clay, plastic or other suitable material and can be cast, moulded, cut or shaped to the requisite form and can be assembled and fixed in position on a building by an artisan accustomed to the fixing of roofs and rainwater goods, without any special knowledge or training in respect of the said gutter or co ponent parts. The gutter constituting this invention can be used with any type of roof covering.

The gutter and component parts hereinbefcre described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, may be made to any size or form to suit the nature, size and construction of the roof and obtain the final appearance desired.

I claim:

1. A roof gutter comprising, in combination, a plurality of gutter-sections, a spigot provided on one end of each gutter-section, a socket provided on the other end of each gutter-section and adapted to receive the spigot of an adjoining gutter-section so as to provide a joint with externally-concealed laps and with outer faces and sofiit for the gutter which are flush throughout, a clamp adapted to engage with the back of the adjoined gutter-sections at the top thereof, a base member, a projecting member provided on the base of each gutter-section at the back thereof and adapted to be engaged by said base member, and means whereby said clamp and base member are fixed to the eaves or other suitable part of the roof.

2. A roof gutter, as claimed in claim 1, in which the clamp comprises a clamping strip which engages with the back of the adjoined gutter-sections along the whole extent of the top thereof and which serves thereby as a flashing strip.

3. A roof gutter comprising, in combination a plurality of gutter-sections, a spigot provided on one end of each gutter-section, a socket provided on the other end of each gutter-section and adapted to receive the spigot of an adjacent gutter-section so as to provide a joint with externally-concealed laps and with outer faces and sofiit for the gutter which are flush throughout, strut means, means for positioning said strut means in said gutter-sections to reinforce same against external compressive stresses, a clamp adapted to engage with the back of the adjoined gutter-sections at the top thereof, a base member, a pro jecting member provided on the base of each gutter-section at the back thereof and adapted to be engaged by said base member, and means whereby said clamp and base member are fixed to-the eaves or other suitable part of the roof.

4. A roof gutter, as claimed in claim 3, in which the strut means comprises a plurality of crossstruts, and in which the positioning means therefor comprises pairs of opposite grooves which are formed in the inner faces of the gutter-sections and are adapted to hold the ends of the crossstruts.

5. A roof gutter comprising, in combination, a plurality of gutter-sections, a spigot provided on one end of each gutter-section, a socket provided on the other end of each gutter-section and adapted to receive the spigot of an adjacent gutter-section so as to provide a joint with externally-concealed laps and with outer faces and sofiit for the gutter which are flush throughout, a covering means for said gutter, a clamp adapted to engage with the back of the adjoining guttersections at the top thereof, a base member, a projecting member provided on the base of each gutter-section at the back thereof and adapted to be engaged by said base member and means whereby said clamp and base member are fixed to the eaves or other suitable part of the roof.

6.- A roof gutter, as claimed in claim 5, in which said covering means comprises a grid, and means for supporting said grid within the upper part of said gutter.

7. A roof gutter comprising, in combination a plurality of gutter-sections, a spigot formed on one end of each gutter-section, a socket formed on the other end of each gutter-section and adapted to receive the spigot of an adjoining gutter-section so as to provide a. joint with externally-concealed laps, a clamp adapted to engage with the upper part of adjoined gutter sections, a base plate, a downwardly-projecting flange formed on the base of each gutter-section and adapted to be engaged by said base plate, and means whereby said clamp and base plate are fixed to the eaves or other suitable part of the roof.

8. A roof gutter comprising, in combination, a plurality of gutter-sections, a spigot formed on one end of each gutter-section, a socket formed .on the other end of each gutter section and adapted to receive the spigot of an adjoining gutter-section a clamp adapted to extend downwardly over the upper edge of adjoined guttersections, a base plate having an inclined upper supporting surface on which the soffit of the gutter is adapted to rest when it is to be laid to fall, a projecting member provided on the base of each gutter-section and adapted to be gripped by the inner edge of said base plate, and means whereby said clamp and base plate are fixed in horizontal disposition to the eaves or other suitable part of the roof.

9. A roof gutter comprising, in combination, a plurality of gutter-sections, a spigot provided on one end of each gutter-section, a socket provided on the other end of each gutter-section and made of greater length than said spigot so that said gutter-section can have a portion removed from the socketed end thereof to conform to the overall length of guttering required, a clamp adapted to engage with the back of the adjoined gutter-sections at the top thereof, ,a base member, a projecting member providedon the base of each gutter-section and adapted to be engaged by said base memben'and means whereby said clamp and base member are fixed to the eaves or other suitable part of the roof.

10. Armor gutter as claimed in.claim 9, in which, in cases in which removal of the surplus length of the socket is not required, or required only to an extent less than the whole of said surplus length, means is provided for filling-in thespace between the end-of said spigot and root of i said socket and thereby preserving the .continuity of the floor of the gutter.

ALFRED HAROLD HONIKMAN.

REFERENCES CITED Y The followingreferences are'of record in the file of this patent:

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 128,830 Great Britain 1919 107,173 Austrian 1927 

